Daisies aren’t as rich in uses as dandelions but shouldn’t be ignored. The daisy family of plants includes many healing herbs such as chamomile and feverfew. The common daisy has been the subject of many myths and legends over the centuries and has been part of the landscape for as long as records can be traced.

In the 14th century, with daisies as the main ingredient, an ointment was used to cure wounds, and the daisy was considered to be a cure for all aches and pains for many years.

In Medieval times it was thought that seeping daisies in wine and drinking for 21 days would cure liver problems – this seems a little counter-productive now, but you never know!

The leaves of a daisy can be eaten and have been grown as a pot herb, but the sap inside the leaf is very bitter and is not widely eaten these days.

A tisane made from daisy flowers, drunk regularly, is said to help cure:

-coughs
-arthritis
-headaches
-muscle pains
-mouth ulcers

The flower essence may also be valuable in treating symptoms of shock and calming the nervous system. A few daisies infused with your favourite herbal tea can calm the system and encourage a good night’s sleep.

Daisies symbolize innocence, gentleness and purity and have been adored by children for pretty much always.

Leave them to grow in the lawn and make daisy chains this summer 🙂

Happy Gardening!
Linda x

P.S. Please don’t self-medicate unless you check with your GP first or you really know what you’re doing! This post isn’t a medical cure, but simply an overview of a pretty flower and it’s history.

A while ago I watched a Wayne Dyer talk and as usual was blown away by his words. He told a story of author Porsche Nelson who had gone to, if I remember correctly, a writers workshop where the students were given five index cards and asked to write their life story. This is what she wrote:

Chapter One:
I walk down the street. There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I’m lost. I’m helpless. It isn’t my fault and it takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two:
I walk down the same street. There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I’m in the same place. It isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time for me to get out.

Chapter Three:
I walk down the same street. There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in. It’s a habit but my eyes are open. I know where I am and it’s my own fault and I get out immediately.

Chapter Four:
I walk down the same street. There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Celery Juicing is big news! My daughter is a fan and turned me onto it the other day. Although it’s probably best to drink it first thing in the morning to get the full benefits, I tried it later in the day and after a good nights sleep, had the most productive day I’ve had for ages!

Yes, it could have been coincidence but there are a lot of healthy vitamins and other stuff in celery so it’s definitely worth a try.

Celery stalks and leaves can be used and you should allow a whole bunch for a couple of small glasses. I used to grow a lot of celery when I lived in France but didn’t have a juicer back then and I doubt if I would have thought about juicing celery anyway!

Celery juice is said to reduce blood pressure and sugar levels among other things.
NB: Google health benefits of celery or celery juice and always double check with your doctor if you are self medicating.

Because celery has been considered to be a herb for centuries I included it one of my herb books. The following text is the intro to growing celery and you’ll find tips on growing this superfood as a herb or as a ‘juicing’ vegetable. 🙂

About Celery

Although we consider it to be a vegetable, celery has been used as a herb for centuries. It was very important in Roman cuisine and also used medicinally. Celery was developed and cultivated into the vegetable we know today during the 17th century in Italy and later became popular in other parts of Europe.

Celery herb grows wild in many parts of Europe, Africa, South and North America, but will not develop the blanched stalk unless cultivated. Grown as a vegetable in the kitchen garden, a few leaves can be picked and used in the kitchen for flavouring before the stalks have matured.

Wild celery, apium graveolens, is more resistant to pests and diseases than cultivated varieties.

Medicinal uses for Celery

Celery is used in Ayurvedic medicine for bronchial problems, including asthma, wind and as a nerve tonic. Seeds collected when ripe are used to distill into oil and dried into powders. Seed sold for cultivation shouldn’t be used medicinally.